Arsene Wenger last night attacked the FA over Thierry Henry's three-match ban and vowed the decision will spur on Arsenal's campaign to claim the Premiership.

The 28-goal striker was found guilty of improper conduct for his extraordinary outburst at referee Graham Poll after the final whistle of the Gunners' 3-1 defeat against Newcastle on December 18.

Henry had to be restrained by team-mates and police officers - and was banned for three domestic fixtures and ordered to personally pay the costs of the three-man disciplinary commission hearing.

Wenger blasted the "very harsh" verdict and admitted he favours an appeal against the suspension, which will start on March 21 if there is no protest.

The ban will rule Henry out of the Highbury league dates with West Ham on March 23 and Sunderland on March 30, as well as the clash at Charlton two days later. Henry will not miss Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final at Newcastle and the Premiership game at Aston Villa. But Wenger was in no mood to be grateful for the 24-year-old's availability for the cup tie.

He raged: "The suspension is very harsh.

"We're used to bad times and this will not stop us. This decision reinforces our belief we can win the championship, although of course, I would rather we did it with Thierry Henry."